Chaeles n



Patented July 25, 1882.

C. N. SWIFT. CIGAR CASE.

(No Model.)

N E V N I .A TTORNEY N FI'ES, Phuln-Llllogmpher, Washnglon. U. CA

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

cHAELEs N. SWIFT, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

ClGAR-CASE.

SPECIFICATION :formingl part 0f Letters Patent N0. 261,642, dated July 25, 1882. Application nien April 21, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom tt may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES N. SWIFT, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cigar-Gases, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved case for keeping cigars, tobacco, &c'., in a fresh and moist state without a surplus of moisture or without soiling or otherwise deteriorating the articles stored therein.

The invention consists of a cigarcase or box provided in the body thereof with a perforated lining at a suitable distance from two opposite sides and from the bottom of the box, one of the side walls of the lining being doubled up and set back at a greater distance from the side wall of the case for providing a space for the moistening-pad. The lid or cover of the case is also provided with a moistening-pad, a suitable retaining device, and a perforated lining that is arranged at some distance from the pad, so as to form an airspace.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved cigar-case shown with a part broken away. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section, of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspending part-s.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a cigar-case of any suitable size and construction, which is provided with an interior perforated lining, B, at avsuitable distance-say one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch--from the side walls and bottom of the case. The lining is supported on .intermediate wires or any other supporting device for keeping it at the proper distance from the bottom ofthe case. The perforated lining B may be made to extend along two opposite sides and the bottom ofthe case, as shown in Fig. 1, or over all the sides and the bottom, as in Fig. 2. One ofv the side walls of the lining B is preferably doubled up and set back at such a distance from the adjoining side wall of the body A that a pad, C, of blotting-paper or other suitable moisture-absorbing material, may be inserted in this space, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The

pad (lisl dipped from time to time into water or into a flavored liquid, according as simply moisture or a suitable tlavor with the moisture is to be supplied tothe cigars stored in the case. The object of the double side wall ofthe lining is to prevent any contact of the moistened pad C with the ends of the cigars stored in the case, which would take place it' only a single thickness of perforated material were used. In place of the double layer, any other means may be used whereby the moistened pad is retained at the required distance from the cigars. The air which passes over the pad is moistened by contact therewith, and conducted over and through the cigars and through the opposite side and bottom parts of the lining to the space between them and the case back to the pad, whereby a certain circulation of air is kept up, and thereby all cigars supplied uniformly with a small quantity of moisture so long as the pad contains lany moisture. In this manner only so much moisture as is required by the cigars to keep them fresh and moist is supplied, and a surcharge of moisture avoided.` When it is desired to supply a larger amount of moisture to the articles in the case a second moisteningpad, D, is arranged in the lid or cover A of the case A. This pad D is retained in any suitable manner by wires c or otherwise, and covered by a perforated lining, D', as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 3. This top pad, D, gives ed' its moisture uniformly over the contents of the body of the case. Itis specially applicable for largersized boxes and for shipping-cases in which a large number of cigars or a large quantity of tobacco is to be shipped to a great distance and. to warmer climates. The top part, D, is charged with water or liquid sim ply by a spoon or otherwise. In shipping-cases of larger size it may be furthermore advisable to insert moistening-pads along all the sides of the body thereof, whereby a larger amount of moisture is readily furnished.

I am aware that cigar-cases with moistening devices have been used heretofore, the moisture being supplied by means of sponge arranged at the bottom or in a receptacle of the case, or by a ilat pan of Water arranged like a drawer, which devices, however, have the disadvantage that the cigars nearest to the source IOO of moistureabsorba larger quantity than those at a greater distance from the source ot' moisture, whereby a uniform distribution ot' the same is not obtained. This I obtain in my cigar-case by establishing a current of damp air over and through the cigars and through the space formed between the perforated lining and the walls of the box, as hereinbefore described.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Paten t 1. The combination of a cigar-case having an interior perforated lining arranged at a suitable distance from the bottom and from two opposite side walls, one side wall of the lining being setback at a greater distance from the side wall of the case than the other, with a moisture-supplying pad inserted into the wider space thus obtained between the side walls of the lining and case, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a cigar-case having an interior perforated lining arranged at a suitable distance from the sides and bottom of the case, and made double at one side thereof', with a moisture-supplying pad inserted in the space between the double side wall of the lining and the. side Wall of the case, substantially as set forth.

3. In a cigar-case, the cover or lid having a moisture-supplying pad, means for retaining the same, and a perforated lining extending over the pad, and the retaining devices, so as to form a small air-space between pad and lining, substantially as described.

In testimony thatI claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHAS. N. SWIFT.

Witnesses:

PAUL GOEPEL, CARL Kaap. 

